(February 25, 2012) The breakneck pace of dam construction in China increases the risk of reservoir induced seismicity. But, without freedom of information and a justice system that allows victims to sue for redress, will killer dams ever come to light? Chinese power companies hope not. Now, an intrepid reporter from Beijing’s Caixin Net is on the trail of unreported RIS cases.
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Chinese dam triggers earthquake, rattles Hong Kong
(February 16, 2012) An earthquake that shook Hong Kong early this morning was triggered by the Xinfengjiang dam on China’s mainland, say officials from the Guangdong Provincial Seismological Bureau.
Things you may not know about the history of the Three Gorges Dam Project
(February 8, 2012) Admissions of trouble at Three Gorges Dam by China’s powerful State Council last spring, left many wondering how the behemoth dam ever got off the drawing board. Now, in a first, behind the scenes, account of raw power politics, Guo Yushan from China’s Transition Institute describes how Three Gorges critics were silenced, and China’s power mandarins maneuvered, to build the world’s largest and most troubled dam. Read this translation by Probe International of the article that went viral on China’s Internet.
Air pollution harder to deny in cyber China
(February 1, 2012) China’s cyber citizens, or ‘netizens’ as they are known, are forcing their government to come clean-er on air pollution.
Weibo Watch: Issue 10
(January 23, 2012) In this instalment of Weibo Watch: grassroots social activism takes off.
China’s north-south water diversion project to climb over 200 billion yuan
China’s plan to invest more than 64 billion yuan ($10.13 billion) in the country’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project this year, will push the total investment to date over the 200 billion yuan mark (more than $30 billion).
France orders carbon tax fraudsters to pay back millions of euros
(January 12, 2012) The first of many trials to come involving carbon trading tax-frauds lands one group in jail, with an order to pay the French state a total of 43 million euros.
Europe’s largest emissions-related tax fraud lands six in jail
(December 21, 2011) One of the European Union’s largest probes into carbon credit tax fraud places six traders from Britain, Germany and France behind bars.
New innovations in coffee add choices in a country fuelled by double-doubles
(December 19, 2011) According to founder, Lawrence Solomon, the niche coffee market Green Beanery supports, opens up a world of taste that allows small, independent coffee farmers around the globe to flourish, which, in turn, ensures genetic diversity in the Earth’s store of coffee.
The best way to promote human rights in Asia
(December 8, 2011) The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada held an online conversation on the question: is there a “best way” for Canada to promote human rights in Asia? Patricia Adams of Probe International says that there is: by “getting its own house in order and ensuring that Canada does not aid and abet abuses abroad.”
Earthquakes, dams and responsibility
(November 21, 2011) Matt Ridley, writing about dams and induced seismicity in the Wall Street Journal, cites Probe International’s reports on the consequences of building the Three Gorges Dam: the Yangtze is drying up downstream, and seismic activity has increased 30-fold.
Grand Inga Dam: Another white elephant for the DR Congo
(November 21, 2011) An article in the Daily Maverick argues that the proposed Grand Inga Dam in the DR Congo is a “beautiful vision” that would “fix Africa” by “lighting up the heart of darkness”, powering African industries and forcing countries to rely on each other.
Weibo Watch: Issue 9
(November 21, 2011) In this instalment of Weibo Watch: the media investigates cadmium-contaminated rice, technological bird kills, and rivers polluted with heavy metals or choked with weeds; netizens catch online vendors selling protected species; and professors kneel in protest against steel factories, setting off a heated debate.
Chinadialogue: Talking about the Yarlung Zangbo
(November 17, 2011) The Yarlung Zangbo, or Brahmaputra, is a major international river passing through China, India and Bangladesh. Yet the countries share very little information on the river’s flow, or on their plans to build dams on it. chinadialogue reports on a workshop that brought together scientists and journalists from across the borders, and discusses the real risks of huge dams on the river.
Chinese citizens demand better air
(November 16, 2011) Residents of Beijing and other Chinese cities are pushing for better air quality monitoring, as PM2.5 levels are now either not monitored or not made public.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Patricia Adams and Lawrence Solomon
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Probe International 